Opry Kicks Off CMA Fest With Stars… And Schwarzenegger

The Grand Ole Opry kicked off CMA Fest week with a packed Tuesday night show. Grand Ole Opry members Carrie Underwood, Bill Anderson, and Del McCoury along with Billy Currington, Easton Corbin, Scotty McCreery, Mickey Guyton, and Mo Pitney all hit the historic stage during the evening, with surprise backstage guests Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Arnold watching from the wings.

The music kicked off early in the afternoon with a free Opry Plaza Party featuring Tyler Farr and Mo Pitney. Underwood launched her CMA Music Festival week of appearances with a return to the Opry stage, and had her official fan club party at the Opry as well. Scheduled artists on the Opry stage later this week include Charles Esten, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Mickey Gilley, Chris Janson, Charley Pride, Darius Rucker, Mel Tillis, Josh Turner, Clay Walker.

In addition to Friday and Saturday night performances, the Opry will offer a special matinee at the Ryman Auditorium Saturday at 3 p.m. Additionally, Opry artists including Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, and members of ABC’s Nashville cast are scheduled for autograph signings downtown at Opry Originals and the Ryman Auditorium.

Photos: Chris Hollo.

Carrie Underwood

Tyler Farr

Mickey Guyton

Tom Arnold and Arnold Schwarzenegger

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Lorie Hollabaugh

Hollabaugh, a staff writer at MusicRow magazine, has over 20 years of music business experience and has written for publications including American Profile, CMA Close Up, Nashville Arts And Entertainment, The Boot and Country Weekly. She has a Broadcast Journalism and Speech Communication degree from Texas Christian University, (go Horned Frogs), and welcomes your feedback or story ideas at lhollabaugh@musicrow.com.

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